Nothing could be more preposterous than to commence a negotiation from which the two important points were thus carefully eliminated.

The King's authority and the question of religion covered the whole ground upon which the Spaniards and the Hollanders had been battling for six years, and were destined to battle for three-quarters of a century longer.

Yet, although other affairs might be discussed, those two points were to be reserved for the more conclusive arbitration of gunpowder.

The result of negotiations upon such a basis was easily to be foreseen.

Breath, time, and paper were profusely wasted and nothing gained.